Library policy news from the American Library Association's Washington Office.

Funding for school libraries included in LHHS subcommittee’s appropriations bill

Published September 20, 2011 by
Jenni Terry

The Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee marked up (voted on) its FY 2012 bill Tuesday afternoon on at 10-8 party-line vote. This funding bill, which is scheduled to be marked up in the full Senate Appropriations Committee Wednesday afternoon, contains federal support for school libraries.

The report language of this bill sets aside $30 million for national non-profit organizations or school libraries in high-need areas. Furthermore, at least 50 percent of this $30 million must be used for school libraries.

This bill also level funds (or funds at last year’s level) the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) at $189 million — another victory for libraries during this time when many in Congress are looking to make budget cuts.